Halloween

Our ward did one of the best parties we've been too. Its was decorated super cute, yummy chili, and games for kids to play. Addie and Jojo both had fun bowling and fishing for prizes. And then the trunk or treat afterrwards would have been fun, but they just wanted to run around and scream. Ha ha, I think next year will be better.

Addie chose to be Cinderella, out of the many princess dresses Stephanie gave her from her girls. And Jojo was excited to be a giraffe this year. It as fun to see them both excited, and for the most part cooperative.

We also went to the zoo and enjoyed their treasure hunt along with the animals. Addie went as a giraffe and Jojo was a lion. It was a lot of fun!

Halloween day we decided to go for a hike/stroll up Forest Park as a family. We kind of got burnt out of halloween, so this was a fun activity. However, the trails weren't so stroller friendly, and some places were really steep. So maybe in a year or two we can try it again. It was gorgeous though!

Jojo is 20 months old, and just seems to be older. He does so well talking, that I know it's because having Addie helps him out a lot. They are pretty good friends, and also fight a lot. But that's what simblings do, right? 

Portland Temple

I braved taking them both to Jojo's 18 month dr check up. It's silly and people do it with more kids, but I feel like I've conquered a big feat by doing things like this. Haha, I'm a whimp!!

We were driving home on I-5, and I decided to take a walk around the Portland Temple. I pass it a couple of times a week on my way to work, but never take the time to enjoy it. I'm glad I did, it was such a beautiful day. And it's such a beautiful temple. 

It had rained that morning...

The missionaries at the visiting center said the kids could touch and feel Christ. It was sweet watching them look at their Savior.

The temple doors are beautifully carved.

And there weren't as many fall leaves as I was anticipating for Oregon. But they were beautiful when you found them.

Fun things about our kids

We have been loving our move to Oregon! Two trips to the coast, we beyond LOVED playing in the sand and ocean. We are looking forward to next summer.

Addie and Jojo seem to have adjusted well. They have made some fun play dates and walking/park trips with ward friends. Every Monday and Wednesday we meet up as moms and walk 2.5 miles, halfway uphill (on rainy days we do mall). Its such a pretty trail surrounded by trees and a bridge. And then the kids get to swing and play on the playground.

We have been so happy with our daycare.  Farah Emami is a grandma that satches watches her 2 grandkids  Illa who is about Adddi's age and Kayvone who is 12 mos. Sometimes they have a baby there too. Addie often asks about Farah and wants to go to her house. So that's always so reassuring.

Jojo is 19 months old and walking, running, climbing stairs like a champ. He is cautious, so different from Addie who just goes and often fell. But that could be because of their age difference when learning to walk. Anyways, it's nice having the stairs open and not worrying so much about falls.

The other week Jojo climbed up to the slide, sat down and went down a big slide all by himself! He's such a big boy, not my baby anymore. It makes some things so much easier,  but also makes me sad because i miss my baby. He speaks quite a lot and has been using short sentences. He's said where did it go back around July. Now he says things like "want snuggles, don't want it, want to eat, want out, want shoes, jojo bean is silly, baby Ben (our new friends from the ward". Yesterday i was driving home from work and daycare.  Addie was saying "Adaline Mabel Johnson" and so i said "good job! Jojo's name is Joseph Evert Johnson". And jojo said "Jojo bean!", made me laugh.

Addie can count her fingers and toes. She is learn4to count animals and whatever in books which she does pretty well with. Sometimes she skips around, but it seems like she is beginning to understand 1-10. She loves to sing her abc's and recognizes the letters A, O, and F. Random I know!

Addie helps a lot with putting things away, clean up (while singing clean up), and heating milk in the microwave. Jojo has started to clean up and sing  well. She is such a good example to him. She is starting to say her prayers with help too.

Trip to the coast with Grandpa Gary

One of my favorite things in this life is the beach/ocean. Seriously one of the things that can guarantee to bring my soul happiness. I'm glad my family feels the same way. We had sooo much fun!! Grandpa Gary came down Friday night, Saturday we headed to Astoria, OR. One of the places I have wanted to see since I was a kid and reading books. And it was as magical as I had hoped. 

Thia is the Astoria Column. It looks really neat, like a lighthouse, but it's not. I giess it was built by the Northern Pacific Railroad, but it was pretty cool to drive around. Due to time constraints, money, and kids, we didn't go walk around.

Where the Colombia River opens up to the Pacific Ocean.

Cannon Beach

Joe had a hard time keeping Addie out of ths cold water. She was in heaven!! I don't know if there i a kid that could have loved it more.

Jojo also enjoyed himself, but he preferred to keep the water to his knees. He would run out to squeal and run back in.  I have more pictures of him because Addie wouldn't hold still. Haha, This day is definitely a memory I'll keep in my heart forever.

Grandpa Gary with us. He was a good sport driving around, walking to the beach, walking around the outaide of the coast guard center.

The kids loved having Grandpa come visit. He came to church with us and Addie loved holding his hand as they walked up the sidewalk. I think she feels a special need to care for him. Jojo enjoys snuggling up with him too. They're lucky to have such a great grandpa!

Our first trip to the Oregon Coast

When I was growing up, I read a book called "Flower of the Winds" by Dorothy Keddington that takes place on the Oregon Coast. And ever since then I would research the landmarks and want to visit so bad. And finally that dream came true. Cheesy, I know, but it's  the truth.

The four of us headed west towards the coast. And just the drive alone was breathtaking!! I loved every minute of it, and got a little bit sick trying to see evrything with the tall, dense forest. I learned to just sit back, relax, and enjoy it. The Tillamook Cheese Factory was a lot more touristy and larger then i expected. But it was still fun to see, and their ice cream and cheese is to die for. Joe came here once as a kid with his dad, Uncle Randy, and brothers so it was fun for him to see it again.

Then we drove to Netarts, Oceanside and Cape Meares. Unfortunately the road was washed out to get to the lighthouse at Cape Meares. And to hike there would have been quite the task with little ones.

Oceanside, was nothing short of amazing!! Love at first sight? You betcha!! All four of us had the best experience.  It was Addie and Jojo's first time at the beach/ocean. And they couldn't have had more fun. Jojo was pretty brave  to go in, but then would run as the waves came in. Addie pulled Joe in and tried to go deeper and deeper. They are so much fun.

I didn't get good pictures of Addie because she was always blurry, so sad.

We didn't plan things well. Our trip was spare of the minute decision I hastily made. So we didnt have clothes to change into.....and i didn't think it would be so warm or that the kids would be for swimming. That's ok, who needs dry clothes whe. You're having so much fun? It's a good thing we had their blankets to wrap them up in the car.